April 27, 2010
By Brian Ormiston
UCFAthletics.com
Orlando, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - A total of eight former UCF baseball players are definitely enjoying life in the professional ranks so far in April. The Knights are represented at the Major League level by Drew Butera, while four players are at the Double-A level or higher.
Serving as the backup catcher to Joe Mauer for the Minnesota Twins, Butera is making his MLB debut in 2010 and recorded his first hit April 22 against Cleveland.
In Triple-A, the city of Rochester, N.Y., is embracing two UCF hurlers who are controlling opposing hitters this season. The Red Wings (Minnesota Twins) have witnessed Matt Fox come on for eight relief appearances and post a 1-0 record with a 2.13 ERA, striking out nine in 12.2 innings. Meanwhile, Mike Maroth has started three games and although he has a 0-2 record thanks to unearned runs, the lefty has a 1.64 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 11.0 innings of work.
Competing at the Double-A level, outfielder Clay Timpner is hitting .440 with a 1.065 OPS for the Richmond Flying Squirrels (San Francisco Giants), and hurler Tim Bascom is 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA in three starts for the Bowie Baysox (Baltimore Orioles).
And three Knights who ended their collegiate careers after the 2008 campaign are blossoming in the Class A Advanced ranks. Tyson Auer holds a .293 average with nine steals for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Los Angeles Angels), Robert Lara is hitting .263 with four runs and three RBI for the Lake Elsinore Storm (San Diego Padres) and Mitch Herold carries a 1-0 record with a 0.87 ERA and six strikeouts in five relief outings for the Salem Red Sox (Boston Red Sox).
Eight home games remain in the 2010 UCF baseball season including this weekend's series vs. Memphis, and tickets can be purchased by calling 407-823-1000 or visit UCFAthletics.com.
And for the latest news on the Knights, log on to UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains Golden Knights Club donor information, is the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures, and become a follower of the Knights at Twitter.com.
UCF in Professional Baseball in 2010
Hitters
Tyson Auer - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Class A+, LA Angeles) - 18 GP, .293 BA, 16 R, 3 3B, 1 HR, 9 SB
Drew Butera - Minnesota Twins - 2 GP, 1-for-6 as the backup catcher to Joe Mauer
Robert Lara - Lake Elsinore Storm (Class A+, San Diego) - 6 GP, .263 BA, 1 2B, 1 HR, 4 R, 3 RBI
Clay Timpner - Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A, San Francisco) - 13 GP, .440 BA, 1.065 OPS, 6 BB, 2 K
Pitchers
Tim Bascom - Bowie Baysox (Double-A, Baltimore) - 3 GP, 3 GS, 2-0, 1.00 ERA, 18.0 IP, 14 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 10 K
Matt Fox - Rochester Red Wings (Triple-A, Minnesota) - 8 GP, 0 GS, 1-0, 2.13 ERA, 12.2 IP, 10 H, 3 ER, 6 BB, 9 K
Mitch Herold - Salem Red Sox (Class A+, Boston) - 5 GP, 0 GS, 1-0, 0.87 ERA, 10.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
Mike Maroth - Rochester Red Wings (Triple-A, Minnesota) - 3 GP, 3 GS, 0-2, 1.64 ERA, 11.0 IP, 12 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 11 K